Why cheap catalytic converters can end up costing you more – Jalopnik

Catalytic converters were made mandatory in the US in 1975 as part of the Clean Air Act, which itself was introduced in 1970. This meant that every vehicle from model year ’75 onwards had to be equipped with it, and that has remained the case for petrol vehicles ever since. Catalytic converters work by using precious metals to convert toxic exhaust into cleaner gases. Metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium cause chemical reactions, which convert gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into less harmful substances such as water and nitrogen. So it’s easy to understand why catalysts are important, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have disadvantages.

A catalytic converter is essentially a pipe full of precious metals and materials, and as such they are not cheap. They also don’t last forever, and when it’s time for replacement – ​​usually signaled by the smell of rotten eggs, a check engine light on the dashboard, or reduced engine performance – the price can be quite a shock. Even regular commuter cars can cost more than $1,000 to replace a catalytic converter, while cat replacements for performance and luxury cars can be significantly higher, sometimes as much as $4,000.

There are aftermarket catalytic converters available, and they can sometimes be as cheap as $100, even direct-fit options. This may sound like a saving grace, but it is rarely a suitable long-term solution. There are a number of reasons why you may be better off purchasing an OEM catalytic converter, rather than opting for a cheap aftermarket unit, including durability, ease of installation and efficiency.

As we’ve discussed, catalytic converters use precious metals to reduce emissions. So it goes without saying that cats are expensive to manufacture. In order for aftermarket manufacturers to reduce the cost of their units, they simply use less of these precious metals. In fact, cheap catalytic converters can only use a third of the amount of precious metals as OEM units, meaning they won’t perform as well and will reach the end of their life sooner. Additionally, while inexpensive replacements may initially meet federal standards, they may be difficult in more stringent states like California. In areas like these, even a brand new, inexpensive catalytic converter may not be efficient enough to pass inspections.

Additionally, the use of cheaper materials, while they may initially meet required emissions standards, can cause aftermarket cats to wear out quickly. This means that by the time your vehicle comes up for another inspection, you may need to replace it again. This translates to more labor, another new part, and more downtime for your vehicle – not things you need to worry about with an OEM part.

Additionally, aftermarket catalytic converters are sometimes built as universal parts, rather than direct-fit components for your exact make and model. This will inevitably lead to higher labor costs when installing, and furthermore, the fitment is unlikely to be perfect. So welds can crack and connections can fail, once again forcing you to buy a new unit. To top it all off, cheaper units are likely to have a shorter warranty period, meaning that by the time the part breaks or wears out, the burden is back on you to provide a replacement.

No matter how inefficient cheap catalytic converters are, it’s understandable that sometimes buying them is the only option. After all, not everyone has $2,000 to spare for an OEM replacement at any time, so opting for a cheap aftermarket part is the next best thing.

Fortunately, catalytic converters rarely fail drastically without warning. The main things to look out for are rich, sulfuric smells from the exhaust, slower than normal engine performance, poor fuel economy, an engine that is harder to start, and excessive heat from under the car. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, your catalytic converter may be on its way out.

That doesn’t mean you should replace it immediately, but these are warning signs that something is wrong. You may notice these signals before an indicator light appears on the dashboard. Take these symptoms as a sign to start saving for a new catalytic converter. If an engine light does appear, it is likely linked to code P0420 if your catalytic converter is faulty, and this is definitely a sign that you need to get to a mechanic sooner rather than later.